MOUNT EDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11952, 29 April 1902, Page 6

MOUNT EDEN.

There was a Rood muster of householders! at the Mount Eden district meeting. Mr. F. N. Andrews was voted to the chair. The annual report showed the number of scholars on the roll on March 31, 1901, was 627, and the average attendance 521; on March 31, 1902, roll 694, and the average attendance 573. The income from all sources for 1901 was (including balance in hand from previous year) £132 ss, and the expenditure £105 0s lid, leaving a balance in hand of £27 2s Id. Mr. Murray moved ins favour of the introduction of Bible-reading in schools. The Rev. W. Gray Dixon seconded. A considerable discussion followed, and ultimately an amendment that the motion be put this day six months was carried. The election of a new committee resulted as follows:—Messrs. W. Eadey, 25; W. Cole, 23; A. S. Keid, 23: T. S. Jacka, 23; A. E. Grindrod, 22; T. Murdoch, 22; G. Squirrell, 20; O. W. Oram, 19; Rev. W. Gray Dixon," 18. Mr. Cole expressed the opinion that something should be done in respect to a recreation ground for the school, and on his motion it ■ was decided to request the incoming committee to investigate the matter. The newlyelected committee met immediately after the close of the annual meeting, when Mr. Jacka was elected chairman and Mr. C. W. Oram secretary and treasurer, the committeo to meet third Thursday in the month. EPSOM. At the annual meeting of the householders of the Epsom school district, held last evening in the schoolroom, Mr. W. J. Speight presided. The reports presented were of a very satisfactory character. The following were elected to the committee for the ensuing year:—-Messrs. Alfred Worrall (chairman), W. E. Brown (secretary and treasurer). Peter Olsen, Benjamin Bishop, B. W. Burton, Thomas Rowe, and Charles Colgan. NORTHOOTE. The householders' meeting at Xortheote was the largest yet held in the district. The reports showed that the average roll number was 295, and average attendance 258. The accounts showed a credit balance of £7 13s lOd. Northcote and Birkenhead districts each nominated a ticket of nine candidates. the qtiostion being the removal of the school from its present notation nearer the point and the establishment of a second one at Birkenhead. The Northcote ticket," which was in favour of things remaining as they are, was elected as under: Messrs. McKay, Cadness (chairman), Brooking (secretary). Rushbrook, Roberts, McClymont. Boyd. Taylor, and Rowe. A vote of thanks was passed to the headmaster and staff. REMUERA. At. the meeting of Remuera householders the report of the committee stated that the highest number of pupils on tho roll during the year was 396; number at present on roll, 379 average attendance, 330.05; largest attendance on one day, 376. The changes in the staff were noted, and it was stated that the chief inspector had last month reported favourably on the teaching and discipline of tho school. Bible classes had been conducted by the Rev. W. Beatty and the Rev. G. B. Monro. The carpentry class was still conducted by Mr. Heron. The cadet corps consisted of 30 to 40 boys. The financial statement showed £29 lis 3d at tho credit of the school account. The following' were elected to the committee:—Messrs. Thomas Buddie (chairman). M. A. Clark, T. Einlayson, Andrew Holden, W. J. Parker, Chas. Ranson, S. J. Ferguson, W. Sibbald, and Geo. Court. Votes of thanks wore passed to the Revs. W. Beatty and G. B. Monro for having given religious instruction out of school hours, and a resolution was adopted sympafcnising with the efforts made in various parts of the colony to secure a plebiscite on the question of the introduction of the Bible in schools. A vote of thanks was passed to the headmaster and staff for their work during the year.

ELLERBLIB. The following were elected members of the Elleralie School Committee for the coming year:— G. Peek, T. N. Peck, C. MeKinney, 11. Nokn, G. Gilchrist, H. Hill,- and L. Cook. MOUNT ALBERT. The meeting of Mount Albert householders was the .largest ever held in the district. Mr. M. J. t'oyle presided. The animal report stated that the average attendance at the school for the year was 226.4. The examination report was satisfactory. 171 presented and 143 passed. A start had been made with kindergarten work. Residents of Eden Terrace had proposed a school in that district, but mainly through the exertions % of the Mount Albert Committee the scheme had fallen through. Reference was also made in the report to the deaths of Troopers G. Wilkins and Harry Finch, former pupils of the school, in South Africa. A photograph of the former, suitably inscribed, had been hung in the school, and a movement was on foot to provide a suitable memorial of tne late Trooper Finch. The election resulted as follows:— Mcssm. Tenman, 23; Coyle, 21; Ellisdeu, 21: Daisley 20; Battersby, 20; Craddock, 19; Haselden, 19; Ellis, 13: Freeney, 17; and Barker, 17. A second ballot had to bo taken as between Messrs. Freeney and Barker, when Mr. Freeney was elected. The other candidates were: Messrs. Finch, 16; Martin. 11; and Millar, 11. At a subsequent meeting of the committee Mr, F. Ellisden was elected chairman and Mr. H. O. Haselden secretary. A hearty vote of thanks was carried to the retiring chairman (Mr. W. H. Martin) for his services to the school dim ing the last 30 years.

AVONDALE. The following were elected to the Avondale committee:—Mr. J, Bollard, M.fl.R. (chairman), Mr. H. Seccombe (secretary), the Rev. A. McLean, Messrs. T. B. Clay, J. R. Brokenshall, R. Mason and 0. Grey. The reports showed that the average roll number was 228, and average attendance 196. The receipts for the year were £78 and the expenditure £70.

TAKAPUNA. At the annual »meeting of householders at Takapima. Mr. W. Berry presided. Mr. J. Budge read the report for the past year, which stated that there had been a considerable increase in the school roll, and the average attendance was more regular. The teaching staff continued to do good work. The two boys who won scholarships from the school were doing well at the Grammar School. The school had been examined by Mr. Mulgan, and his report was very satisfactory. Many improvements were still wanted in the playground, which could not be carried out, for want of funds. The relationship between the members of the committee aid the headmaster had been most cordial. The report and balancesheet were agreed to. The election of tl: 3 new committee resulted as under:—Messrs. Collins (secretary), Dodd, H. L. Brett, Bradstreet (chairman), Moran, J. Mackay, and J. Sinclair (treasurer). Mr. Budge was proposed but declined to stood, as he would be absent from the district. He was accorded a hearty vole of thanks for his services on the committee.

ONEHUNGA. The annual meeting, of householders for the election of a school committee for the ensuing year was held last night in the Public Hall, Onehunga. Canon Haselden occupied the chair. There was a large attendance of householders present. When the Chairman asked the meeting to confirm the minutes of the lost mooting, Mr. R. Smith said*hey were incomplete, inasmuch as they did not contain any refcrenco to a piotest lodged by him at that meeting against the election of a member of the committee. He asked the chairman to inform the present mooting what correspondence had passed between him and the Board of Education. The Chairman Stated that Mr. Smith's protest against the election of a member last year was not seconded, consequently it never came Ixjfore the meeting. Mr. Smith then lodged-his protest with the Board of Education, but it was not sustained. If the meeting desired the whole of the correspondence on this matter to be read it could be done. This request not being forthcoming, the motion, "That the minutes be adopted," was put and carried. The report and statement of accounts were read and adopted. The headmaster also ! presented a report, which, on the motion of Mr. It. Smith, was adopted, and the headmaster thanked for the same. In answer to Mr. R. Smith, the Chairman stated that if the Onehunga school were turned into a district high school another teacher, specially qualified, would be appointed to teach the seventh standard. The Chairman announced that ho had not received any nominations. Sixteen gentlemen were then nominated, and the election resulted as follows':Messrs. S. Barr. 61 George H. James, 55; J. N. Rishworth, 51; J. J. Russell, 46: Colin McLeod, 44; W. D. McLean, 42; John Rowe, 42; J Robins, 36; G. Vause, 35; John Haselden, 33; W. H. Blackwood. 27; Stephen Skinner, 27; A. C. Lyon. 26: G. H. Douglass, 22; W. 11. Edwards, 13; J. Nixon, 9; informal, 4. Before the new committee was declared elected, Mr. G. J. Browne said he had been deputed by his fellow scrutineers (Messrs. Davios, Hall, Smith. -Vauso, and Gatland) to remind the meeting that the Rev. Canon Haselden and Mr. Vause hail tied for tlw last, place, and the scrutineers thought ' that the meeting should say by a show of • hands which of the two gentlemen should be elected. Ho moved to that, effect. The Rev. C. Griffin said tlfat while the motion was moved with the best intention it was illegal. The chairman alone could decide the question by his casting vote. Canon Haselden said the last speaker was quite

eonvet, and to prove it he would rtdd the Act, which says that when any two or.'more persons shall have received an equal number of votes the- chairman shall give his casting vote to settle the question. That being so, ha (the chairman) would give his casting vote itj favour of Mr. Vause. (Loud,cheering.) Canon Haselden then declared the first nine gentlemen ' elected. ■',; On the motion of: Mr. Browne, , a 'hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the Rev. Canon Haselden and the outgoing committee - for their services.'; A large number of those present expressed, their regret at the non-election of Canon Haselden, who had devoted a large amount of time in the interest of education at Onehunga. At a meeting of tho newiiy-elecied comi.-itlee held immediately after tho householders' meeting, -Mr. John Kowe was elected chairman, and it was resolved to hold the committee meetings on the first Thursday in each mouth. ■'■',--' OTAHUHU. The following were elected members of the Otahuhu School Committee:—Messrs. C. Rowe (chairman), A. J. Walker (secretary and treasurer), Owen Gynn, T. A. Brown, A. Muir, and W. G. Cunnold. POINT CHEVALIER. " ; . There was only a, small attendance at the schoolhouse, Point Chevalier, last night for the annual meeting of the school committee. Mr. George Fowlds, M.H.R., presided. The report for the past year showed that the work in the school was very satisfactory, with an increased attendance of children. Messrs.' George Fowlds, M.H.R., J. L. Harrison, Joseph May, A. X. Oleson, Wesley Spragg, and T. H. Wilson were elected a* committee for the ensuing year. At a meeting of the newly-elected committee, hold afterwards, Mr. George Fowids was elected chairman and Mr. J. L. Harrison secretary. THAMES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN COBRBSPONDENT.] Thames, Monday. The annua] meetings of householders were hold to-night to elect school committees for the year. At Waiotahi the following were elected:—Messrs. W. K. Paterson, William Johnstone, Richard Jenkins, Thos. Moyle, W. D. Reid, A. Burns, James Hodge, Thomas Burritt and Thos. Radford. Mr. Paterson was re-elected chairman, Mr L. W. Parsons secretary, and Mr.' 0. Hodgn treasurer.

With one exception the committee of the Kauaoranga school, was re-elected. It was proposed and carried that the Bible should bo road in the schools. The resolution is to be forwarded to the Acting-Premier.

NEW PLYMOUTH. [ijy telegraph.—tress association.] New Plymouth, Monday. More than usual interest was shown in connection with the householders' meetings to-night. The town committee resolved that the system of administering the educational matters of the colony is unsatisfactory, and that school boards should be elected by popular vote in place of education boards and committees.